P’s and Q’s : James 5
“Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.” (verse 1)
- James is referring to the rich individuals who do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior. What miseries have you seen rich individuals in this world experience who do not know Jesus as their Lord and Savior?
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“Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.” (verse 2)
- What does it mean that riches “have rotted” and “garments have become moth-eaten”?
Have you seen any examples of people in your life whose riches have “rotted”?
Riches are temporary and are not eternal. Clothes (garments) are simply things that will not last forever. Once we leave this earth, these things have no value, and they shouldn’t consume us while we ARE on this earth.
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“Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire.” (verse 3)
- How have you seen rich individuals become consumed “like fire” by their riches? Conversely, how have you seen people who love God use their “gold and silver” to make a difference for Christ’s kingdom?
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“Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.” (verse 7)
- What does it mean to be patient for the coming of the Lord? How is your personal patience with God in your day to day life?
This means that I should spend each day as though the Lord is coming back at ANY time but not lose focus of the good I can try to do on this earth with Jesus Christ working inside me.
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“Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.” (verse 9)
- God is “the Judge” of your actions and thoughts. Why will God judge you if you are complaining against another brother or sister in Christ? How is your personal complaining or gossip of others?
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“As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.” (verses 10 & 11)
- We know that all of us will go through trials because we live in a fallen world. We also know that we can be blessed by relying on God to endure these trials. What were some of the trials Job endured? What was the outcome of the Lord’s dealings (God’s compassion and mercy) over Job?
“But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.” (verse 12)
- What does it mean that “…your yes is to be yes, and your no, no…”? Why is it important to God that you keep your word?
“Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.” (verses 13-15)
- Why pray to God when you are suffering? Why pray to God when you are sick? Why pray to God when you have committed sins?
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.” (verse 16)
- God desires that we not only confess our sins to Him, but also to other believers. What is the power in confessing our sins to other believers? Prayer is more powerful than anything we can do on earth, for we are bringing our requests to the Author and Creator of the cosmos. How have you seen prayer “accomplish much”?
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Three Takeaways:
- Give your riches to God.
- Give your trials to God.
- Give your prayer to God.
